Segregated phase system



March 29, 1932. BR 1,851,152

SEGREGATED PHASE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 1, 1926 49 /a 3" Y2/ /4 {a WITNESSES: INVENTOR 5 4g James MBrown by Ja neflfirowrafldministmfrix Patented Mar. 29, 193.2

. UNlTED STATES JAMES M. BROVJN, DECEASED, LATE 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, BY JANE D.

BRCW'N, ADMINISTRATRIX, OIE PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA ASSIGNOB TO WEST- INGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A GORPORATIGN OF PENN- SYLVANIA snsnnearnn PHASE SYSTEM AppIication filed November 1, 1926.

This invention relates to electrical switch ing systems and particularly to circuit-interrupter interlocks.

One object of the invention is to provide an electrical interlock betweena plurality of remotely disposed circuit interrupters- Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical interlock between the circuit interrupters controlling a polyphase electrical circuit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interlock for a plurality of circuit interrupters that is responsive to a condition of dissimilarity in the operating positions of the several circuit interrupters.

In the operation or" electrical systems, the circuit interrupters controlling apolyphase electrical circuit are frequently spaced apart a substantial distance. This is especially true where an isolated phase arrangement of switching equipment is employed. By reason of the distances separating the circuit interrupters associated with each distributing circuit, it is diiiicult to mechanically connect the circuit interrupters controlling; the several phases of the distributing circuit.

According to the present invention, it any one of the circuit interrupters be opened or closed, when the other circuit interrupters are in dissimilar operating positions, then all the circuit interrupters controlling each circuit will be tripped to their'onen positions.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing, is a diagrammatic view of circuits and apparatus embodying the invention.

The invention comprises, in general. a plurality of circuit interrupters 1, 2 and 3 that control. the A, B and C phases of anvelectrical circuit, respectively, having the usual overload tripping: mechanisms 4 and an auxiliary tripping mechanism that is responsive to conditions of dissimilarity between the operating positions of any two of the circuit interrupters 1. 2 and 3.

The circuit interrupters 1. 2 and 3, may be of any desired type that may be simultaneously closed. comprising. a tripping toggle 6. as the details thereof form no part of the present invention.

Each of the tripping mechanisms 4 com- Serial No. 145,651.

prises a current transformer 7 that energizes a solenoid 8 for actuating an armature memher 9 that is connected, by a rod 11, to the toggle 6 of the associateo circuit interrupter 1, 2 or 3.

Each of the auxiliary tripping mechanisms 5 comprises a solenoid 12 that actuates an armature 13, mounted on the rod 11, and atwo-position pilot switch 14, connected by a link 15, a bell crank 16 and a lever 17' that is pivoted, as at 18, to the associated circuit in tcrrupter 1, 2 or 3. Lost-motion connections are provided between each lever 1?, bell crank 16 and circuit interrupter-s 1, 2 or 3, in order to compensate for the circular movement of the ends of the lever 17.

The pilot switches 14 bridge a plurality of contact members 19 and 21 when in their upper circuit-closing positions, and bridge a plurality of stationary contact members 22 and 23 when in their lower circuit closing positions.

The several stationary contact members 19 are connected to the positive conductor of a supply circuit 24. The stationary memhers 21 and 22 are all connected to each other by a looped conductor 25. The several stationary contact members 23 are connected to a common conductor 26 that is connected through the several solenoids 12, in parallel circuit, to the negative conductor of the supply circuit 24.

Electrical operatin mechanisms 26, are attached to each of the circuit interrupters and are connected in parallel in the circuit 24. A control switch 25 is provided in one side of the circuit 24and is employed to close the circuit interrupters simultaneously.

lVhen the circuit interrupters 1, 2 and 3 are all their open positions. as shown in the accompanying drawing, the several pilot switches 14 are in their lower contact making positions, and the looped conductor 25 is connected to the negative conductor of the supply circuit 24 through the several stationary contact members 22, 23 and the solenoids 12, in parallel circuit. At the same time, the positive conductor of the supply circuit 24 is electrically separated from the looped conductor 25 between the several pairs 7' of contact members 19 and 21. If any one of the circuit interrupters 1, 2 or 3 is moved to its closed position, its pilot switch 7 14, is moved to close a circuit between the sta-V tionary contactmembers 19 and 21, thereby energizing the looped conductor and the several solenoids 12. Upon energization of the several solenoids 12, their armature members 13 are attracted to trip thetoggles 6, thereby opening all the circuit'interrupters 1, 2 and/or 3 that are in their closed positions to move them to their open-circuit positions. 7

When the several circuit interrupters 1, 2 and 3 are in their closed posit ons, the-several pilot switches 14 are in their upper c rcuit-closing positions, thereby completing.

V circuits through the stationary contact members 1'9 and 21 from the positive conductor of the supply circuit 24 to the looped conductor 25. However, the circuit between the several stationary contact members 22'and 28, is broken. Should any oneof of the circuit'interrupters'1,"2 and 3,,be tripped to its open position, by the operation of the overload tripping mechanisms 4:, or by reason of failure of the mechanical parts of the circuit interrupter itself, then the pilot switch 14 associated with that circuit interrupter, is"

turned to complete a circuit between the stationary contact members 22 and '23,-""Thelooped conductor 25 is thereby connected to theconductor 26 and the several parallel connected solenoids 12, with the result thatthe toggle mechanisms '6 of the circuit interrupters 1, 2 and 3, are energized to trip the circuit interrupters' remaining in their circuit-closing positions.

Accordingly, there interlock for controlling the circuit interrupters associated with the several phases of an alternating current-circuit that is responsive to a condition of dissimilarity-between the operating positions of-the several'circuit interrupters;

it is to be understood that such changes may be made in the structural details, arrangement and disposition or the component parts of the invention'as shall be within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. The combination with a polyphasecir- 'cuit, a'circuit interrupter having an open and a closed position for each phase, and tripping means for said circuit interrupters has been provided an r and a closed position for each phase and tripping means for said circuit interrupters responsive to'conditions'of overload, oi?

auxiliary tripping means for the circuit interrupter only when any two of the plu rality of circuit interrupters occupy d fferent said positions.

3." Ihe combination with a polyphase circuit, a circuit interrupter having an open and a closed position for each phase and tripping means for said circuit interrupters responsive to conditions of overload, of auX- iliary tripping means associated with the circuit interrupters, adapted to causetlie circuitinterrupters' in closed position to move to their open positions whenever any of themare in open positions and means for deenergizin said auxiliary means when the circuit interrupters occupy like positions.

" 4. ihe combination with a polyphase cir- I cuit, circuit interrupterhaving an open and aficlosed position for each phase and tripping means tor said circuit interr'upters responsive to conditions of'overl'oad, of auxiliary; tripping means associated with the circuit interruptercomprising a pilot switch that is adapted to cause all of the circuit interrupters in closedpos'ition to move to their open positions whenever any one of them occupy 'tlieopen positionand to deenergize said auxiliary means thereafter. 7 '5. The combination with 'a polypha'se circuit, of acircuit interrupter having a closed and open position for each phase, a tripping mechanism for'the circuitinterrupters, and

a switch completing a circuit to the tripping mechanism 'actuatedin response to the dissimilarity of position of any two said circuit interrupters and means associated; with the sw tch 7 for deenergizingjthe tripping mechanism when the circuit. interrupters occupv like positions.

6. In a circuit-interrupter system, a plu ralitv of associated circuit interrupters provided with means for moving them to like 7 operative positions, a tripping means associated, with each circuit interrupt-er, and

means for energizing the several tripping means only when two of the circuit interrupters occupy ditferent'operative positions.

7. In a circuit-interrupter system, apluralitv of asso'ciate'dcircuit interrupters provided with means for moving them to their closed-circuit positions, tripping means associated with each circuit interrupter, and means for energizing the several tripping means for causing the several circuit interrupters to move to their open positions whenever a y two of the circuit interrupters oc- 1 cupy different positions and for deenergizing sa d tripping means thereafter.

8., The comb nation with a polvphase circuit, of a circuit interrupter having a closed and an open position for each phase, tripping mechanism for the circuit interrupters,

and energizing means for the tripping mechanism actuated in response to a condition of dissimilarity of positions between any two circuit interrupters, the said tripping mech anism being energized only when the circuit interrupters occupy unlike positions.

9. The combination with a plurality of associated circuit interrupters normally occupying like positions, of tripping means for the said circuit interrupters deenergized when the circuit interrupters occupy like closed or open positions, and interlock switching means for eiiecting the energization of said tripping means only in response to conditions of non-conformity of positions between any two circuit interrupters.

10. The combination with a plurality of associated circuit interrupters normally occupying like positions, of tripping means associated with each circuit interrupter in parallel-circuit relation, and interlock switching means responsive only to conditions of dissimilarity of positions of the circuit interrupters for completing a circuit to said tripping means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of October, 1926.

JANE D. BROWN, Administratm'w of the Estate of James M.

Brown, Deceased. V 

